LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 660 million users worldwide. It’s a great platform for connecting with other professionals, discovering career opportunities, and building your professional brand. However, sometimes you may want to browse LinkedIn anonymously without revealing your identity or leaving a digital footprint. There are a few different ways to do this through various browser extensions, private browsing modes, and using an alternate account. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best methods for browsing LinkedIn anonymously based on recommendations from Reddit users.
Why Browse LinkedIn Anonymously?
Here are some common reasons why people want to browse LinkedIn anonymously:
– Privacy – You don’t want LinkedIn tracking your activity or building up a profile on you. Browsing anonymously prevents LinkedIn from associating your searches with your account.
– Research competitors – You can research competitor companies, employees, job postings etc. without revealing that you work for a competing company.
– Discover new opportunities – You can discreetly research new job opportunities without signaling to your current company that you may be looking to leave.
– View full profiles – LinkedIn only shows partial information for some users unless you have a premium account. Anonymously browsing may reveal more profile details.
– View people who viewed your profile – You can see who has viewed your profile recently which is normally a premium-only feature.
Method 1: Use a Private/Incognito Browser Window
The easiest way to browse LinkedIn anonymously is to use your browser’s private or incognito browsing mode. Here’s how to do it in the most popular browsers:
Chrome
– Click the 3 vertical dots in the top right corner
– Select New Incognito Window
– Go to LinkedIn.com and browse normally
– Chrome won’t save any cookies or browsing history from this session
Firefox
– Click the 3 horizontal lines in the top right corner
– Select New Private Window
– Go to LinkedIn.com and browse normally
– Firefox won’t retain any private data from this session
Safari
– Click File -> New Private Window
– Go to LinkedIn.com and browse normally
– Safari won’t save your browsing history or cookies
Edge
– Click the 3 dots in the top right corner
– Select New InPrivate Window
– Go to LinkedIn.com and browse normally
– Edge won’t save any private data from this session
The advantage of using a private browsing window is it’s very easy to do and prevents any activity being tied back to you. The limitation is that as soon as you close the window, your session is over.
Method 2: Use a VPN Service
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) routes all your device’s internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a server in a location of your choosing. This hides your real IP address and makes it appear like you are browsing from another location. Here’s how to use a VPN to browse LinkedIn anonymously:
– Sign up for a reputable paid VPN service like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost etc. Free VPNs are not recommended.
– Download and install the VPN provider’s app on your device
– Connect to a server in a different city or country than your real location
– Go to LinkedIn.com and browse normally
– LinkedIn will see the IP address of the VPN server rather than your real IP address
The main advantage of using a VPN is that it provides ongoing anonymity even after you close your browser. You can keep the VPN connected as long as you like. The drawback is you have to pay for a subscription.
Method 3: Use the LinkedIn Anonymous Viewer Extension
There are some browser extensions specifically designed to let you browse LinkedIn anonymously. The most popular is the LinkedIn Anonymous Viewer extension available for Chrome and Firefox.
Here’s how to use it:
– Install the LinkedIn Anonymous Viewer extension in Chrome or Firefox
– Go to LinkedIn.com and browse normally while logged out
– The extension will disable tracking and hide your IP address from LinkedIn’s servers
– You can view full profiles and see who viewed your profile without an account
The extension essentially does the same thing as a VPN but without having to pay for an ongoing subscription. The caveat is that the extension only works while it’s enabled in your browser.
Method 4: Use a Second Anonymous LinkedIn Account
Another option is to create a second “burner” account on LinkedIn specifically for anonymous browsing. Here’s how:
– Use an alternate email address not tied to your real identity to sign up for a new LinkedIn account
– Do not connect any other social media accounts
– Leave out personal details from the profile or enter fake data
– Turn off all notifications and email updates
– Use this account only for anonymous browsing while logged out of your main account
This allows you to browse freely while appearing as a random user to other people viewing your burner profile. Just remember to log out of your main profile first before logging into your anonymous account.
Extra Tips for Anonymous Browsing
– Always browse LinkedIn in a private or incognito window
– Never connect your anonymous LinkedIn account to other social media accounts with your real identity
– Avoid logging in from the same device into both your real and anonymous accounts
– Use a VPN or proxy service for additional anonymity
– Clear cookies, cache and browsing history regularly
– Turn off location services on your device before accessing LinkedIn anonymously
Is Anonymous Browsing on LinkedIn Ethical?
Browsing LinkedIn anonymously is not unethical as long as it’s done in moderation and doesn’t involve malicious intent. Here are some ethical considerations:
– Don’t use an anonymous account to misrepresent yourself or mislead others
– Don’t abuse anonymous browsing to stalk, harass or spam other users
– Only view information you reasonably need for professional purposes
– Be mindful of LinkedIn’s Terms of Service and don’t violate any policies
– Limit the frequency to avoid overloading LinkedIn’s servers
– Don’t access paid Premium features without a subscription
As long as you use anonymous browsing judiciously and act ethically, it can be a useful tool for professional networking and growth.
Conclusion
Browsing LinkedIn anonymously can be advantageous for privacy, research, discreet networking and accessing exclusive features. The best methods are using private browsing modes, VPN services, specialized browser extensions and secondary burner accounts. However, it’s important to use anonymous browsing privileges ethically without misrepresentation or malicious intent. Moderation is key when using any anonymity tools on professional social networks like LinkedIn.
Method | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Private browsing mode | – Very easy to use – No setup required |
– Temporary – Session ends when window closes |
VPN service | – Ongoing anonymity – Can choose server location |
– Requires paid subscription |
Browser extension | – Free to use – Simple one-click install |
– Only works while enabled – Browser-specific |
Anonymous account | – Full access – Appears like a random user |
– Time-consuming to set up – Risk of ban if misused |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is browsing LinkedIn in incognito mode really anonymous?
Yes, LinkedIn cannot associate any activity done in incognito mode with your account or IP address. However, it only lasts during that browsing session.
Does a VPN allow me to create fake LinkedIn profiles anonymously?
No, that would be unethical. A VPN should only be used to browse genuinely, not to misrepresent yourself.
Can LinkedIn detect I’m using an anonymity extension?
Possibly, if it’s a known extension. But quality tools like LinkedIn Anonymous Viewer mimic real browsing so it’s unlikely to raise red flags if used moderately.
Is it safe to browse jobs on LinkedIn anonymously?
Yes, you can safely research job postings and companies without revealing yourself as a candidate. Just don’t apply anonymously.
Will my anonymous account get banned if I use it to stalk someone?
Yes, malicious use like harassment or scraping data could get an anonymous account banned from LinkedIn.